Southern California Recreational Groundfish All-Depth Season Opens April 1

copper rockfish
Copper rockfish
CDFW photo by A. Mutti

The recreational groundfish season will open on April 1, 2023 in the Southern Management Area, where for the first time in over two decades anglers can enjoy fishing for groundfish in all water depths from the opening date until September 15 of this year. New in 2023, this portion of the season is referred to as the ‘all depth fishery’ Continue reading “Southern California Recreational Groundfish All-Depth Season Opens April 1”

2022 “Year in Review” and “By the Numbers” Reports Now Available!

cover of the 2022 Year in Review report
Cover of the Marine Region’s 2022 Year in Review report

What did 2022 look like for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Region? As with the rest of the world, one of the prevailing themes was the return to pre-COVID-19 Pandemic activities, which was accompanied by unusual weather patterns that affected California’s marine environment. The Marine Region’s 2022 Year in Review and its companion document, 2022 By the Numbers, outline the hurdles we overcame and accomplishments we achieved last year. Continue reading “2022 “Year in Review” and “By the Numbers” Reports Now Available!”

When the Fish Come to You – California Grunion Runs Start Soon

Grunion run on a moonlit beach
Grunion run on a moonlit beach. photo by D. Alps, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

The grunion are coming! These iconic California fish are known for their amazing late-night mating ritual on the sands of Southern California beaches. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s 2023 schedule of expected California grunion runs is now available online.

Grunion are unique in that they leave the ocean and spawn on the beach each spring and summer. This occurs as the nights’ high tides fall following the full and new moons.

Please note that if you plan to take grunion, new regulations went into effect June 1, 2022. Continue reading “When the Fish Come to You – California Grunion Runs Start Soon”

ocean habitats

Make Plans to Attend MPA Day Management Review Forum

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released the first Marine Protected Area (MPA) Decadal Management Review (Review) in January. The Review is a synthesis across the four pillars of the MPA Management Program and evaluates the progress of the MPA Network at meeting the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act since 2012.

If you are interested in learning more about the Review findings, or sharing information related to your contributions to the Review via a table or a poster, Continue reading “Make Plans to Attend MPA Day Management Review Forum”

Available Now! MPA Decadal Management Review Report

cover of the Decadal Management ReviewThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce that the first Marine Protected Area (MPA) Decadal Management Review (Review) report is now available!

The Review provides a synthesis of the last decade of management activities in the four pillars of the MPA Management Program and the effectiveness of the MPA Network at meeting the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act. The Review is informed by Continue reading “Available Now! MPA Decadal Management Review Report”